This morning I wake early to make Morning Prayer. Much to my surprise, much of the ceremony is very much like a Catholic mass, including standard lines spoken by the priest and answered by parishioners. Before the Blessed Sacrament, sannyasi (third level members of the community who have made a total and final dedication to God and wear the kavi dress) offer “arati,” the circular motion of waving burning incense before sacred objects and priests that symbolizes making manifest the hidden Christ. During the offertory portion of the Mass, offerings are made to the four elements: water, earth, air and fire, which is a Hindu puja tradition representing the whole of creation being offered to God through Christ as a cosmic sacrifice. Water is sprinkled on the altar to sanctify it, and then on the officiants to purify them, including himself. Fruits of the earth toiled by human hands are offered in a manner similar to “bread and wine.” Eight flowers are then offered accompanied by Sanskrit chants, which represent the eight directions of space and that the Mass is the “center” of the universe thus anchoring it to the whole of creation. This is followed by another “arati” with incense, then with camphor symbolizing “fire.”
From my perspective, the Mass itself is like a living Andean despacho whereby the whole of creation and humanity are offered to Spirit (aka through Christ to the Father). Meanwhile, sacred Christian and Hindu songs are sung. Communion is given, and at the end of the Mass, we all line up on either side of the main aisle to receive a blessing of “sandal paste” — sandalwood is considered the most previous of all woods and symbolizes Divinity. Its sweet fragrance is perceived as a symbol of divine grace, and is put on the forehead as a way of consecrating the body unconditionally to God. This certainly is a marriage of traditions rich in symbology and ritual.
After Mass comes breakfast. Then, I head to the Library porch to read and ponder my notes from Brother John Martin’s talk yesterday. In particular, the following thoughts arise mapping between what was said yesterday and what I know from studying the Andean maps of consciousness:
From my perspective, the Mass itself is like a living Andean despacho whereby the whole of creation and humanity are offered to Spirit (aka through Christ to the Father). Meanwhile, sacred Christian and Hindu songs are sung. Communion is given, and at the end of the Mass, we all line up on either side of the main aisle to receive a blessing of “sandal paste” — sandalwood is considered the most previous of all woods and symbolizes Divinity. Its sweet fragrance is perceived as a symbol of divine grace, and is put on the forehead as a way of consecrating the body unconditionally to God. This certainly is a marriage of traditions rich in symbology and ritual.
After Mass comes breakfast. Then, I head to the Library porch to read and ponder my notes from Brother John Martin’s talk yesterday. In particular, the following thoughts arise mapping between what was said yesterday and what I know from studying the Andean maps of consciousness:
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Brother John Martin’s description of the four states of Human Consciousness in the Vedic tradition map to the Andean cosmology and corresponding luminous energy fields as such: |
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After sitting with all this and dozing in the shaded heat, I am ready to visit Father Bede’s hut. It is small and simple. On his bed is a bas-relief sculpture of his face and hands — I reach out placing my hand in his — along with a woven fabric depiction of Shiva as Nataraja, a garland of flowers and seed pods, and embroidered throw pillows. There are also some photographs, including one with his mother, a crucifix, a cabinet with books and other personal items, and a framed Birthday Wish poem by a Brother Gerald Peter — it ends:
“ON THIS YOUR GOLDEN BIRTHDAY, MY WISH IS FOR YOUR LIFE TO CONTINUE MANY YEARS YET, IN THE SERVICE OF HUMANITY, LIKE THE SUN RISING ……..”
Settling myself in the solitary chair, I still my mind to feel and connect cekes or luminous threads to the energy embedded in Father Bede’s hut. I close my meditation asking for his prayers and guidance as I continue my journey of unfolding.
“ON THIS YOUR GOLDEN BIRTHDAY, MY WISH IS FOR YOUR LIFE TO CONTINUE MANY YEARS YET, IN THE SERVICE OF HUMANITY, LIKE THE SUN RISING ……..”
Settling myself in the solitary chair, I still my mind to feel and connect cekes or luminous threads to the energy embedded in Father Bede’s hut. I close my meditation asking for his prayers and guidance as I continue my journey of unfolding.
To be honest, I missed Mid-day Prayers and I don’t remember eating lunch, but I must have as it was only hours ago. I do remember going to the bookstore to purchase several copies of Brother John Martin’s Four O-Clock Talks to give as gifts to friends who are consciously on their spiritual paths, and going back to the Library porch to read.
At the appointed hour, I walk to the meditation building for another Four O’Clock talk. Today, Brother John Martin describes various types of darma that we are meant to live and correlate to the four stages of consciousness evolution. He tells us that an avatar comes into this world when it is in chaos to reestablish darma. He says:
At the appointed hour, I walk to the meditation building for another Four O’Clock talk. Today, Brother John Martin describes various types of darma that we are meant to live and correlate to the four stages of consciousness evolution. He tells us that an avatar comes into this world when it is in chaos to reestablish darma. He says:
“Some people feel it is a material fight between good and evil, and others believe it is a spiritual battle. The battle in our present time is righteousness vs. self righteousness. Righteousness must transcend to the Divine. This is not about reincarnation. Action is needed — love (social justice/environmental justice) not battle. We must take responsibility for our actions/inactions.” |
Other things I gleaned from Brother John Martin’s talk:
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After dinner Andrew shows us a film in which he interviews his beloved teacher and mentor Father Bede Griffith. My head is swimming with thoughts of the Truths that are reinforced in each map of consciousness I have studied over the years . . . so it is surprising that sleep comes as soon as my head hit the pillow.